Worshipful Writers Series II: "I Could Write A Book"

"I Could Write A Book"

Worshipful Writers Series: Part Two
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Your marvelous doings are headline news;
I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. (Psalm 145:6 MSG)

“Write what you know.” We’ve all heard the phrase and applied it to our writing. Not only is this easier than including something we don’t understand, it’s wisdom because the words will have a greater impact on the reader. There’s conviction behind your words because you know they’re true. And readers will discern you're truly relating with them.

Recently, a fellow critique partner brought her first chapter with a synopsis for us to review. One of her scenes—of a father abandoning his daughter—broke my heart. Though this writer had not actually experienced abandonment by her own father, she did understand a little girls’ heart for her daddy. I just about burst into tears there at McDonalds.

So, think about what God has done for you.

On Easter Sunday our worship team performed a special entitled “Believe.” One of the phrases in the song is “Take a look at all the places where He’s brought you from. It’s the impossible. Believe it’s possible.” I interpret that to mean: look at what God’s done in your life. He has done the impossible, brought you from where you were to where you are. Believe Him to do the same going forward. He’s already done the impossible, believe the future is possible in Him. When I consider what God has done for me, I’m filled with praises. Worship becomes fresh because I am so grateful and so amazed at His power and goodness, His love and favor.

We will minister to hearts by including that understanding in our writing. You’ve been there. You’ve felt that pain. God pursued you, took your hand, brought you out. Now you can help others rise.

Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you have a message because of your testimony and what God’s done for you. Writing around that testimony will minister to people. It will elicit worship from you and the reader toward God.

Including your testimony in your writing is another way you serve God as a worshipful writer.

Annette

Worshipful Writers Series: Part One

Net's Notation Tuesdays
Worshiping God with our Words

Welcome to a new Tuesday series at Seriously Write: Worshipful Writers Series.

Dear writing friends, think of your favorite worship song. Perhaps your church includes this song in services. Perhaps you listen to it in the car, or sing it in the shower. The words could be your own, they so accurately depict your experience.

Music is a powerful tool for expressing back to God what He means to us. But music without words is not nearly as powerful. (Generally speaking. I have heard anointed instrumental music and have to add this disclaimer because of it.) *smile*

It’s the words that impact us, drawing worship from us and sending our hearts reaching toward God.

Words are powerful. They impact lives and change hearts. They point people to God, to hope, to life. They encourage or enhance faith.

Words can be used to harm, too. But as a Christian writer, you’ve already determined to let your words glorify God, so they will make a difference.

Look at the psalmist’s description of God and his response:

Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
I compose songs on your wonders. (Psalm 145:5 MSG)

When we see God moving in our own lives, or those around us, and we somehow communicate that power in our writing (i.e. use life experiences in our books) we glorify God. We worship God through our writing. We magnify Him.

There have been novels in my reading experience which have so glorified God I’ve had to close them and simply worship Him, thank Him, honor Him, be still before Him. Some books have so drawn me to Him I have had to join the author in worshiping God in the midst of the words.

You’ve heard the phrase: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.” (or something to that effect) Allow me to tweak that a little with this idea. If we experience God while we’re writing the words, if we ask Him for His words, then the reader will experience Him when they read the words. He will accompany those words into the hands of our readers. He will impact their lives to the degree they are willing to “let” Him.

I sat in a pastor’s office as a leader, knowing any moment I’d be called upon to address the rest of the occupants with my perspective, my advice. Before it came to my turn, it hit me. Words with no anointing do not bring about change like words with anointing. I asked God to anoint my words (which I was trusting Him to supply) so that they would change lives and positively affect the situation we were there to address. When the time came, not only did God give me the words, but I felt His presence in the wisdom He provided. I knew He had anointed my words. That He would be glorified, no matter the response of those in the room.

Our words have the potential to bring glory to God.

It’s one way we worship God as writers.

Annette